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“The hospital must have security.”
“Of course they do.” Gian Carlo turned off the television and sipped his cup of hot chocolate. “How long do you think Ana will have to stay here?”
“Not long. I’ll move her to a private hospital as soon as she can be released.”
“Do you ever have to worry about money?”
Alejandro failed to respond. He knew absolutely nothing about private hospitals, but he wanted somewhere Ana wouldn’t be pestered by paparazzi and tabloid journalists eager for a story. He’d have to find a place celebrities chose for the security. Someplace with lovely rooms and a peaceful view. He was uncertain what to do until he realized he could provide everything she’d need on a cruise ship. It was the perfect answer. She couldn’t work, so she’d have no reason not to go on a cruise. On board one of their ships, he’d make her recovery as pleasant as he possibly could.
When the orthopedist entered the waiting room, he looked as tired as Alejandro felt. The physician sat on the arm of an upholstered chair. “Everything went well, but it was a bad break. The plastic surgeon has worked on Ana’s cuts. She’s being taken to recovery and won’t be awake until tomorrow morning. Go on home and come back for visiting hours.”
“Even if I have to look through a window, I need to see her tonight,” Alejandro insisted.
“I’ll wait here,” Gian Carlo offered.
The weary orthopedist rose slowly. “I’ll give you one minute, that’s all.”
Alejandro did have to stand at the window at the end of the room, but Ana was in the closest bed. She’d have been unrecognizable to others, but even with her head bandaged, he knew her. A nurse stood on the other side of the bed adjusting an IV drip and smiled when she saw him.
He sagged against the wall. “I’ll go.”
The doctor grasped his shoulder. “Patients’ families faint so often I’ve become good at catching them. Go back to the waiting room and rest before you drive home.”
Alejandro nodded, but what he really wanted to do was return to the lounge and strangle Gian Carlo. Perhaps anticipating such a threat, the model had disappeared. Ana’s bag sat on the table beside the model’s chair. Taking the orthopedist’s advice, Alejandro sank into his chair and leaned back. When he felt better, he’d go home, but he ached clear through that all he could take with him for comfort was Ana’s bloody bag.
Chapter Eleven
Alejandro returned to L’Esperanza the next morning looking as haggard as when he’d left. He’d showered, shaved and put on clean clothes, but it hadn’t improved his dark mood. He entered from the parking garage to avoid any paparazzi lurking at the front entrance. If the TV news had photos of the accident, they had to be in the tabloids, but he refused to look when seeing Ana so badly injured was pure torture. He carried the bouquet of yellow roses he’d bought on the way and went to the main desk to ask for Ana’s room number.
The receptionist smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, but only family members are allowed to see her. I’ll have the roses sent to her room.”
“I’m her husband,” he argued persuasively. “Dr. Pallares will tell you who I am.”
Appearing convinced by his earnest manner, the receptionist checked her computer screen. She wrote Ana’s room number on a slip of paper and passed it to him.
He glanced at the paper and slipped it into his pocket as he entered the elevator. The door to Ana’s room was ajar, and a nurse was with her. “May I come in?”
“Please do. I’m Maja, Ana’s nurse today. Please put your vase of pretty roses on the windowsill with the other flowers.”
He saw Santos Aragon’s name on a gorgeous mix of pink roses and carnations. Ana had mentioned Miguel, but never his son, Santos. Alejandro wondered just how well acquainted the two were, but it was another worry he didn’t need. Paul Perez had sent a leafy philodendron. Rather than search the other bouquets for cards with men’s names, he turned away.
“Use the call button if you need me,” Maja offered on her way out.
“Thank you.” Alejandro stood beside the bed, uncertain what to do. Ana needed rest to get well, but he longed to tease her awake with gentle kisses. When her lashes fluttered and she opened her eyes, he reached for her hand. “I’m so sorry I left you yesterday.”
She blinked, rubbed her eyes and stopped when she felt the bandage covering her right cheek. “You’re all blurry, but that’s my fault rather than yours. What happened? Did the ancient elevator in your building crash with us inside?”
“You don’t remember the accident?” She looked so fragile and pale, and spoke slowly as though she were underwater. He’d thought he couldn’t be more disappointed in himself for leaving her, but the torment became even more painfully deep.
“Obviously not,” she breathed out through a yawn.
Maja entered, carrying a bouquet of daisies. “I’m glad to see you’re awake. These are from Valeria.” She fit the vase into the last open space on the windowsill. “I’ll bring you some broth to make you feel better.”
“I doubt it.” Ana raised her hand to touch the bandages encircling her head. “Why am I wrapped up like a mummy?”
Alejandro pulled the visitor’s chair over to the bed. He described the accident as briefly as he possibly could and glossed over her injuries without admitting he’d been scared to death he’d lose her.
“What happened to Gian Carlo?” she asked.
